LACK OF HEARING NO PROBLEM FOR PEMBROKE PINES' MINTER

During a basketball game, Larry Bird does it all: pass, rebound and score. Grace Minter plays the same way. Larry chooses to do the job quietly. Grace does the job quietly but not by choice -- she's deaf.

"Larry Bird's the best player in the world and I'm the best in high school," Minter said jokingly.

Minter, of the Florida School for the Deaf in St. Augustine, will display her skills Jan. 8-17 in New Zealand as a member of the United States Deaf Olympic women's basketball team.

Minter, a 5-9 junior, made the team in February at the Olympic Trials in White Plains, N.Y.

"When I realized my name was on the list I was proud of myself," Minter said through interpreter Jill Balbirer. "Making the Olympic Team was a dream come true."

Minter was the eighth player selected for the 12-member squad -- the only high school player and Florida resident chosen. But making the squad wasn't easy.

"I did well in the beginning, then I began to play a little sloppy. But I thought I'd make it," said Minter, 18, of Pembroke Pines.

The two-time All-America began playing basketball in 1981 after placing third in the State Free Throw Finals Since that time her desire to improve has led to several basketball honors.

She was named first team deaf All-America as a freshman after leading the Lady Dragons with a 22.1 scoring average -- which was highlighted by a 40- point performance against University Christian.

As a sophomore, Minter's scoring average dipped to 21.0, but not enough to prevent her from repeating as an All-America first team selection.

After playing forward and center her first two seasons, Minter was moved to the guard position last season, where she averaged 21.5 points per game. She's expected to make the deaf All-America team for the third straight year.

After three seasons of of high school basketball, Minter is looking forward to testing her skills against Olympic competition.

"It's not that high school ball is easy, it's that when I go to the Olympics it'll be tougher," Minter said.

She also says the experience she'll get from playing against college level players will make high school ball easier during her senior season.

The U.S. team meets Dec. 18 in Los Angeles. From there they'll travel to New Zealand to train. Until that time Minter says she'll continue to work on her skills by running, shooting and playing in as many games as possible.

Bonnie, 16, a sophomore, says she's not as good a player as Grace, but her older sister teaches her a lot about the game.

"I'm a better volleyball player, so Grace teaches me basketball and I teach her volleyball," Bonnie Minter said. "I'm proud of Grace. We spend a lot of time talking about the Olympics. I know she'll do well."

Bonnie says the two also talk about New Zealand. Grace Minter is excited about the trip, but will be more excited if she can help bring home the gold.

"I'm looking forward to going there, but my goal is to win the gold medal," she said. "If we don't win it I'll be disappointed."